Overseas migration has been the largest contributor to WA's population growth over the last eight years, according to a report released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Increased migrant quotas, and changes in immigration policy aimed at attractingskilled workers have resulted in a steady increase in permanent settlers with almost 20,000 arrivingduring 2006-07.

Of the 94,000 migrants who have settled in WA since 2001, the majority (87%) chose to live in Perth.

Recent arrivals are generally younger than the WA population as a whole and have a similar proportion in the employed labour force; however this varies according to country of birth.

While the top three countries of origin (England, New Zealand and South Africa) have not changed since the 2001 Census, some sub-Saharan countries (Sudan and Zimbabwe) have climbed in the recent arrival rankings.

WA's booming economy has also drawn people from other states and territories over the last five years.

These interstate arrivals are similar to WA's existing population, but over twice as many (8.6% compared with 4.2%) found jobs in the mining industry.

People from interstate were also more likely to work in professional occupations and have higher education qualifications - factors which contribute togenerally higher incomes.

More information on the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of people moving to WA, and between regions within WA, can be found in Western Australian Statistical Indicators(cat. no. 1367.5).